Тайлер Крумвиде: 43 года службы в Перхэме и предчувствия дождя

PERHAM — After 43 years on the earthly plane, Tyler Krumwiede has learned a few things. When he is able to help, he should. And, when a premonition hits he learned early on that it is a good idea to grab a raincoat. Krumwiede is a familiar face in and around the Perham area. He is well known at the Central Markets in Perham and Detroit Lakes, where he works. He has also served as the lead organizer of both the Turtle Fest and Parade of Lights parades, is a member of Perham’s Park Board, on the Perham Lions Club, Perham Area Community Club and his church’s giving committee. ADVERTISEMENT “I'm a man with many hats,” he said, adding a life of servitude comes naturally to him. He explained, when people ask for help, he rarely finds a reason not to step up. He said, both this can-do attitude and desire to be courteous to everyone were traits he learned from his parents, Diane and the late Dave Krumwiede. Krumwiede came into this world with his twin sister. When he and his sister were only a few weeks old they were baptized at a hospital. Their father was at the hospital preparing to undergo surgery for a cancerous brain tumor. After the surgery was a success, the family returned to their home on the shores of Otter Tail Lake. During the warmer months, Krumwiede spent much of his time splashing in the water. Once, he even predicted when water would fall from the sky. He fondly recalled the fateful day, noting the sun was shining bright. When he requested an umbrella from his mom, she looked at her child and shook off the request. “I went up to down the neighborhood and said a storm was coming and they better get their stuff inside,” he recalled, adding after he forewarned the neighbors he returned to his mother’s side and again requested an umbrella. This time, she gave him one. With his umbrella by his side, Krumwiede took a seat on the edge of the family’s dock. He estimated an hour passed before the sky opened up and rain began to fall. “It started pouring like crazy,” he said, adding he opened his umbrella with a smile and enjoyed the rain falling into the lake. “I just knew. How, I don't know.” ADVERTISEMENT Krumwiede’s childhood fascination with weather initially had him thinking of becoming a meteorologist. However, as he grew into a 15-year-old teenager, he found work in an industry that would become his career choice. He began working as a grocery bagger at Dean’s Country Market, which was where the Pizza Ranch is currently located. A year later, his father passed away from cancer. When Krumwiede spoke of that difficult time he didn’t focus on the loss, but rather the years he was blessed with his father by his side. And, he spoke with deep gratitude to have been raised by such a hard working mother, who stepped into be the sole provider for the family as his father battled cancer. “We're blessed; very blessed to have her in our lives,” he said. Krumwiede said, in time his mom fell in love with Doug Schroeder and they got married. After Krumwiede graduated from Perham High School in 2003, he attended what is now known as M State in Detroit Lakes to earn a sales and marketing retail management degree. He explained the career path would potentially help him advance from bagging groceries and stocking shelves to a management position. Krumwiede again counted his blessings for the bosses he has had while working in the grocery store industry. “Dean Simpson was a very good boss, and to this day he's always so nice when he comes in,” Krumwiede said. ADVERTISEMENT Simpson sold the store years ago, which eventually became the new Central Market store that is located in the city’s newest business district along the Market Street loop. Throughout the ownership transition, Krumwiede remained with the business. He said the new owners retained the same mindset of providing top-notch customer service and being a company that cares about its employees. “Their whole family is awesome, too,” he said. This past spring, Krumwiede was promoted to the position of dairy and frozen food director and is working at both the Perham and Detroit Lakes Central Market stores. On his off-time he has taken other jobs, including stocking products on shelves for food companies and helping a more local business — Jean’s Plant Place in Perham during their busy times. “I enjoy what I do, so why not do it?” he asked. Krumwiede has that same attitude when working for his community. He began organizing the city’s largest parade during Turtle Fest several years ago when the previous organizer stepped down. About three years ago he also took the lead on the Parade of Lights that kicks off the Christmas season. He said all the time and effort that is required to plan the parades is paid in full with each smiling child he sees along the parade route. “I told them when I'm 50 years old, I will retire (from organizing the parades),” he said. “I have eight more years to go. Then I’m done. I probably won’t retire from it (entirely) though.” ADVERTISEMENT Krumwiede also makes time for adventure. Annually, he and several friends travel to another state or country to see the Minnesota Vikings pass, kick and pancake their opponents during a regular season game. The adventure has taken him to Green Bay, Kansas City and London to name a few. This year they are heading to Florida. Whether he is serving his community, working hard at the grocery store or cheering on his favorite pro football team, Krumwiede continues to live life with purpose and positivity. Editor’s note: Familiar faces is a monthly article about an employee who has 15 years, or more, of working at a Perham Business, or participating in a Perham-based civic organization. To recommend a person to feature, please email [email protected].